Greetings,
This monthly newsletter (No. 68) includes: City of Darwin call for Senate inquiry, Build at Berrimah, community events, quiz, plants-fungi-wildlife.
1.0 City of Darwin calls for a Senate inquiry into the Lee Point housing project
Fig 1. Councillor Julie Fraser (third from left) with supporters at the Public Forum prior to the Council meeting on 28 April.
City of Darwin will write to Federal Ministers requesting a Senate inquiry into the Lee Point housing project …read more.
Sign the SENATE PETITION to help make this happen.
2.0 Build at Berrimah not Lee Point
Fig 2. Corflute for Save Lee Point campaign
Land swap – The sale of the Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB) or Kowandi North site offers a unique opportunity to rectify the problems with the Lee Point housing project.
Larrakia – Danggalabba traditional owners support the land swap proposal, refer Build at Berrimah not Lee Point.
The Senate inquiry into the Management of Defence Estate Assets (includes DEB and Kowandi North) has commenced. FLP provided this submission. Lee Point is a classic example of what can go wrong with the sale of disused defence land.
ACTION NEEDED
The time for Labor to act is now – Territory Labor recently supported a moratorium and a new Area Plan for Lee Point by the NT Planning Commission. Send a Letter to Ed Smelt MLA.
Protect Lee Point – now and for future generations to come – An open letter from 14 groups is to be sent to the NT Government refer Protect Lee Point.
3.0 Community events
Events have been running at Lee Point/Binybara and the ECNT space in Nightcliff. Check out FLP Facebook or Save Lee Point website for upcoming events.
Fig 3. Art at ECNT Space Nightcliff, Saturday 25 April.
Fig 4. John Brock on the Plant Walk and Talk, Sunday 26 April.
Over 60 people joined well known author and botanist John Brock for a Plant Walk and Talk around the Lee Point Dam… read more
Seabreeze Festival – FLP and PLan will be at the Seabreeze on Saturday, 9 May. Hope to see you there.
4.0 Quiz
What do these three birds have in common (answer at the end)?
Fig 5. Azure Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee Eater, Striated Pardalote.
5.0 Plants-fungi-wildlife
Images from Lee Point late April 2026.
The dry season is here with acacias flowering and dragonflies hovering. White-breasted Woodswallows (aerial hunters of insects) have started to arrive from southern states.
Fig 6. Ball Wattle (Acacia latescens)
Fig 7. Elephant Ear Wattle (Acacia dunni) with hoverfly.
Fig 8. Darwin Stringybark (Eucalyptus miniata)
Fig 9. Frogmouth Waterlily (Philydrum spp)
Fig 10. Sundew (Drosera spp)
Favourite food: Insects
Fig 11. Fruit from Woody Pore Fungi
Favourite food: Dead organic matter
Fruiting bodies represent only a small fraction of the total fungus. Most of the fungus is underground or hidden.
Fig 12. Coral-tailed Cloudwing Dragonfly (Tholymis spp)
Favourite food: Insects
Fig 13. Red Swampdragon Dragonfly (Agrionoptera spp)
Favourite food: Insects
Wilderness Walks
Wilderness Walks have been recording between 25-40 bird species, refer ebird for latest sightings. Please check Friends of Lee Point Facebook for walk times.
Enjoy the dry season
Answers to Quiz
The Azure Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee Eater and Striated Pardalote dig a hole to nest in, called a nest burrow.
